Press release

Russia put away Japan in straight sets

A panoramic view of "Yoyogi National Stadium" whose stands were well packed on Friday evening for the match of Japan vs. Russia

Tokyo, Japan, December 2, 2011 - Russia downed Japan in straight sets (25-23, 25-16, 25-23) on the first day of fourth-round action in the 2011 FIVB Men's World Cup at Yoyogi National Gym on Friday. The win improved Russia win/loss record to 8-1 in the tournament. Russia's lone loss entering the match was to Brazil. Japan, which had the upper hand for most of the first set, slipped to 2-7 with the defeat. Maxim Mikhaylov, with a match-high 19 points, and Denis Biriukov, with 12 points, played key roles for Russia in the triumph. Biriukov was named the most impressive player of the match. Kunihiro Shimizu led Japan with 12 points.

Japan took a 4-2 lead in the opening set. A serve by Kota Yamamura that just creeped over the net put Japan up 6-3. Japan led 7-5 after a block by Alexander Volkov and took an 8-5 margin into the first TTO. A block by Yusuke Ishijima put Japan ahead 10-6. After a net infraction saw Japan take an 11-6 lead, Russia called a timeout. A nice pass from Yuta Abe to Yoshifumi Suzuki for a spike gave Japan a 12-7 lead. Volkov's service error made it 13-10 for Japan. Tatsuya Fukuzawa pounded a spike for 14-10. A service error by Taras Khtey sent Japan into the second TTO with a 16-12 lead. Denis Biriukov's spike pulled Russia within three points at 16-13. Japan moved ahead 19-15, but then Russian ran off three straight points to pull within 19-18. A spike by Yamamura moved Japan in front 22-19. Khtey replied with a spike that made it 22-20. Another Khtey spike evened the score 22-22. Shimizu's spike made it 23-22, but Maxim Mikhaylov tied it with a spike. A reception error by Ishijima gave Russia set point and they took the set 25-23. Khtey scored six points in the set, while Shimizu had five.

Shimizu served into the net to put Russia in front 5-2 in the second set. Trailing 6-2, Japan took a timeout and Yamamura responded with a spike. Russia led 8-4 at the first TTO. The Russians made it 11-5 on a spike by Mikhaylov. An error at the net by Yoshifumi Suzuki made it 13-6 for Russia. Suzuki served into the net and Russia went up 14-8. Biriukov's spike sent Russia into the second TTO with a 16-10 advantage. Apalikov's spike put Russia ahead 20-12. A spike by Daisuke Yako made it 21-14 and Matsumoto followed with service ace. An Abe spike took it to 23-16, but then Shimizu served long and Russia had set point. A service ace by Mikhaylov gave Russia the set 25-16. Biriukov had seven points in the set.

Yako sent a spike long and Russia grabbed a 5-2 lead in the third set. A spike by Shimizu saw Russia's lead at 7-5. Russia was on top 8-5 at the first TTO. Japan then scored three straight points to equalize on a spike by Matsumoto. A Biriukov spike put Russia up 10-9. An Ishijima dink gave Japan the lead at 11-10 and then Matsumoto blocked a spike to make it 12-10. Russia tied it 12-12 on a block by Mikhaylov and moved ahead on a reception error. Back and forth it went and Japan took a 16-15 lead into the second TTO on a reception error by Russia. A great rally ended with a block by Volkov to make it 17-16 for Japan. Alexander Butko served into the net to give Japan a 19-17 lead. Russia tied it 19-19 and Japan called a timeout. A misplay and infraction by Japan gave Russia a 21-19 lead. Ishijima moved Japan within 22-21 with a powerful spike and they tied it 22-22 on another spike. Shimizu sailed a serve long and Mikhaylov followed with an ace to give Russia match point at 24-22. Mikhaylov served into the net for 24-23, but Russia ended it on a final spike.